Yes, GTG Fest 2017 saw the release of the fourth album by The Hat Madder. Isaac and company have been toiling over this for a couple years now and the results are well worth it. Intricate production, lush vocal harmonies, off-kilter lyrics, demented pop hooks – it’s all here in another classic from The Hat Madder. Here’s what Wax and Wane Music had to say in an advance review:

“In a day and age of singles, streaming and withering attention spans, Vander Schuur and The Hat Madder have crafted a thoughtful, honest and intricate album that is most impactful when consumed in one full sitting. “R0771N9 ON 7HE V1N3″ stands as a testament to the power of rock music, the catharsis of sound.”

Check it digitally out below. CDs are available now with vinyl and cassette scheduled to coincide with The Hat Madder’s spring tour.

TOMMY PLURALS SAYS:
GTG FEST! That was one of the best weekends of my life. First and foremost my partners in the endeavor – Nicholas Miski Dee Hattie Mae Loren Isaac Michael and Timmy – are the best friends and collaborators I could hope to have. The Avenue Cafe and all of its staff have done a bang up job hosting our fest and this year was no exception. So much love! Weather conspired against The Record Lounge but the little bit of show that we did get to do there was awesome and we’ll figure out a way to make up for it. Thanks to Ryan and Andy for having the gear on call to do the outdoor show that didn’t happen, and Josh and Jeffery for lending some muscle and being down to do whatever random thing we threw out there. Rachel made a great poster and I’m going to miss seeing it all over everything I do. All of our sponsors – Pabst Blue Ribbon, Scene Witch, Schuler Books & Music, Foods For Living, Rubie’s Paradise Salon, McCord’s Farm Market, Bloom Coffee Roasters, Streetkitchen, harrison roadhouse, Grand Traverse Pie Company, Alyson Rose Studio, and MI Blue Owl Coffee – made the weekend that much more special and we’re happy to work with all of you. Mike, Eric, and Isaac are basically the trinity of GTG sound techs so thanks for hanging with all of the bands all weekend. Thanks to Crith, Paul, and Kevin for providing the backline along with Nich and Hattie; this made the ambitious time table possible. Brian was running around recording the whole weekend and I can’t wait to hear what he captured. Shoot… I think that’s everyone but the fest is still a fresh blur so sincerest apologies if I spaced anywhere. But… EVERYONE THAT ATTENDED!! YOU make this all possible and we’re all so humbled by your support. 10 MORE YEARS! 10 MORE YEARS!! #gtgfestx
GTG FEST 2017 LINEUP (by day, headliners in the caps)

The TENTH annual GTG Fest is next weekend in Lansing, MI. It’s wild to think that we’ve been at it this long but, hey, here we are and things are better all the time. There’s two new releases, a band reunion, a farewell show, some great touring bands, and we’ve finally added an open-to-the-public all ages venue. Check out the schedule:

That’s a lot to take in! We’ll be doing the alternating stages at The Avenue again and, weather permitting, The Record Lounge show will be the best and probably last outdoor party of 2017. Get familiar with most of the lineup via the sampler below and stay tuned to the fest facebook event for more updates!

We’re proud to be dropping this slice of pop-rock goodness today from Detroit’s Jeremy Porter and The Tucos. Three tunes here, a song from their forthcoming LP “Don’t Worry, It’s Not Contagious” (out from us in November) plus two previously unreleased live recordings. This digital-only single is the first collaboration between us and our favorite Detroit trio but it’s far from the last. Stay tuned! GTG’s 2017 just keeps getting better!

We have the pleasure to release the cassette version of one of our favorite records from the last year, “A Rebel One” by Jason Paul. Jason’s music has an infectious Midwestern flavor from his formative years in Milwaukee, but it’s filtered through the melodic, full-tilt gritty energy that can only come from his adopted home of San Pedro, CA. This record is a full on collaboration with Sean Cole from Toys That Kill, with Sean and Jason sharing instrumental and production duties with a couple assists from our old friend Joey Centofanti of Black Sparrow Press. It’s a family affair and we couldn’t be happier to have this group of musicians in our orbit. You can catch Jason on tour with his band Jason Paul and The Know It Alls – The Plurals just had the pleasure to do a run of west coast and southwest dates with them on the “Swish” tour – and look forward to more new music to come from this perfect Midwest-meets-West Coast sound. Stream the record and get the cassette from us, and if vinyl is more your flavor you can get it from Recess Ops!